Doppelkopf is a 4-player trick-taking game played with a double deck of 48 cards (every card twice). Trumps are all Queens, all Jacks, all Diamonds and both tens of Hearts ("Dullen"). The holders of the two Queens of Clubs form the Re team against the Kontra team; the Re team wins the game with at least 121 of 240 card points, and tricks, foxes and announcements raise the game value.
Play now — it's freeThe deck holds 48 cards: two copies each of 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in Clubs, Spades, Hearts and Diamonds. Identical cards are equally strong — the first one played wins the trick.
Four players receive 12 cards each. The player left of the dealer leads the first trick; afterwards the trick winner leads.
In the normal game 26 of 48 cards are trump: all Queens, all Jacks, all Diamonds and both tens of Hearts. From highest to lowest:
| Rank | Trump | Copies |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ♥10 — the "Dulle" | 2 |
| 2 | ♣Q — the "Alte" | 2 |
| 3–5 | ♠Q, ♥Q, ♦Q | 2 each |
| 6–9 | ♣J, ♠J, ♥J, ♦J | 2 each |
| 10–13 | ♦A, ♦10, ♦K, ♦9 | 2 each |
Two identical trumps tie — the first one played wins the trick.
Side suits rank A > 10 > K > 9. Hearts keeps only Ace, King and Nine because both tens are trump. You must follow suit (trump must be followed too); if void you may play anything — there is no obligation to beat.
| Card | Points | In deck |
|---|---|---|
| Ace | 11 | 8 (2 of them Diamond trumps) |
| Ten | 10 | 8 (2 of them Dullen) |
| King | 4 | 8 (2 Diamond trumps) |
| Queen | 3 | 8 (all trump) |
| Jack | 2 | 8 (all trump) |
| Nine | 0 | 8 (2 Diamond trumps) |
All cards together are worth 240 points.
Unlike Skat or Bridge, the cards decide the teams: holders of the two Queens of Clubs ("Alte") play on the Re team, everyone else on the Kontra team. Until a Queen of Clubs is played, the partnerships stay secret.
If both Queens of Clubs land in one hand, that player plays alone against three (silent solo).
Before playing your second card you may announce: the Re party calls "Re", the Kontra party calls "Kontra". Each announcement raises the game value by 2 — whoever wins the game in the end.
The game value is built from these tournament base values:
| Element | Value |
|---|---|
| Game won (base value) | 1 |
| Won against the Old Ones (Kontra wins) | +1 |
| "Re" announced | +2 |
| "Kontra" announced | +2 |
| Fox caught (opponent's ♦A captured) | +1 each |
| Doppelkopf (trick of 40+ points) | +1 each |
Special points (foxes and Doppelkopf tricks) belong to the party that earned them — even if it loses the game.
The Re team wins with at least 121 of 240 card points. At exactly 120 the Kontra team wins — unless only Kontra announced, in which case 120 already wins for Re. If Re itself announced, it needs the full 121.
Protect the "Alte": playing your Queen of Clubs too early reveals your partner and risks capture.
Pull trumps: with a long trump hand, lead trumps to exhaust opponents and control the side suits.
Watch the foxes: the Ace of Diamonds is trump — playing it early gifts the opponents a bonus point if captured.
Count points: a trick of four Aces or Tens is a "Doppelkopf" worth one extra point.
48 cards — a double deck with 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King and Ace in four suits; every card exists twice.
Four players in two teams; partners are determined by the two Queens of Clubs, not by seating.
The ten of Hearts. Both Dullen are the highest trumps and beat even the Queen of Clubs.
The Queen of Clubs — the second-highest trump. The two players holding the club Queens form the Re team.
The Ace of Diamonds. It is trump but easily caught: capturing an opponent's fox earns a bonus point.
With at least 121 of 240 card points. Exception: if only Kontra announced, 120 points already win for Re.
"Re" and "Kontra" each add 2 points to the game value; both must be called before playing your second card.
A trick containing at least 40 points — four Aces or Tens. It scores one extra point for the party winning the trick.
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